We closed a successful 2025 with celebrations at the OSF and the Santiago office
This year was particularly special for ALMA: we exceeded 4,300 hours of observation, we were able to observe the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, we monitored stellar activity in Proxima and Alpha Centauri, while continuing to make progress on the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU). To bid farewell to the year and...
All Hands 2025: Record numbers and an expanding future
On Thursday, September 4, 140 colleagues connected to a new All-Hands meeting. The meeting highlighted the record number of hours observed in Cycle 11, the demand for Cycle 12, and the progress of the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU), which will quadruple ALMA’s sensitivity. The session...
Astronomy and territory: the role of Community Relations at ALMA
At ALMA, working with neighboring communities is a key part of our presence in Chile. Beyond science and observing the universe, there is a real and ongoing commitment to local development, particularly in the Antofagasta Region, where our closest communities — San Pedro de Atacama and...
ALMA moves forward with its scientific upgrade: progress on the WSU project
The Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) program is one of ALMA's strategic pillars for the 2030s and will mark a turning point in its contribution to global science. This initiative will transform the way we observe the universe by increasing the bandwidth and sensitivity of the observing...
Important Lessons from the Snowfall at the AOS and the OSF
During the last week of June, ALMA experienced extraordinary weather conditions: heavy snowfall covered the Array Operation Site (AOS), and even some snow covered the Operation Support Facility (OSF). An event like this one, caused by a cold front that generated winds of up to 100...
Experience Committee: Details that make a difference
With the aim of improving the day-to-day lives of those who work at ALMA, the Experience Committee was formed in 2023, a working group that arose from an agreement between the organisation and both unions during the last collective bargaining negotiations. This committee aims to ensure...
Let’s Talk Conflict Prevention & Fairness at Work!
Dear ALMA Colleagues, We’re excited to invite you to two engaging and practical training sessions led by our Ombuds, Tahirih Varner, during her upcoming visit to the OSF. These sessions are designed to help us build a more respectful, understanding, and collaborative workplace, whether you're managing a...